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Ingredient file // Flavor

Peppermint

A minty flavor, not a dental treatment

Peppermint in kibble is dried, aromatic leaf used mainly for flavor. It adds little nutrition at a flavoring dose, and no dog trial shows that ground peppermint in food treats bad breath or settles an upset stomach.

Role in the food Does a job
What it is
Dried peppermint leaves, often ground, added to dog food for their distinctive mint aroma.
Made from
Harvested peppermint leaves
Main job
Mint flavor and aroma
Typical amount
Not published
Watch for
Concentrated peppermint oil is different
Not the same as
Peppermint essential oil

Straight answer

Is Peppermint safe for dogs?

Read it as flavor, then check the food

Peppermint low on the ingredient list is an aroma choice, not a reason to buy or reject a food. Judge the main ingredients and the complete recipe first. If the bag promises better breath or digestion from peppermint, treat that as an unproven claim.

Why it is in the food
Mint flavor and aroma

Our read // In our catalog

In 1 of every 84 foods we track

Share of foods that list it

1%

38 of the 3,204 foods with an ingredient list on file, from 5 brands. All dry dog food.

Each square is 1% of the catalog

Where it sits on the label

Median position 37. In the top five of 0 foods, so it is usually a minor ingredient.

Top five List position, heaviest first

Above the salt

9%

Usually listed after the salt, which caps it at roughly 1% of the recipe in 91% of foods.

Price per lb

Foods with it $3.52
All foods $3.25

Median of the cheapest bag price across 30 priced foods, 8% above the catalog. The price is the food's, not the ingredient's.

Who leans on it

39%

of the foods that list it are from Holistic Select. 5 brands use it in total.

What it is

How it is made

Peppermint is grown for its aromatic foliage. Ground peppermint comes from harvested leaves that are cleaned, dried and crushed for use as an herb; it is distinct from oil extracted from the plant.1,6

  1. 01 // Source Peppermint leaves Growers harvest the fragrant foliage while its volatile oils give the leaves their characteristic scent.
  2. 02 // Process Cleaned and dried Leaves are cleaned and dried; excessive heat reduces the oils that carry their flavor.
  3. 03 // Process Crushed or ground Dry leaves are separated from stems and crushed or ground into an ingredient that mixes through food.
  4. 04 // Output Ground peppermint The dried leaf reaches the kibble plant as an aromatic herb, distinct from concentrated peppermint oil.

What is in it

Composition, dry matter

40.8

% NDF

Neutral detergent fiber in one dried-leaf sample. That is substantial in the herb itself, but a flavoring amount contributes little fiber to the finished food.

Neutral detergent fiber 40.8%1
Acid detergent fiber 24.9%1
Nonfiber carbohydrates 21.1%1
Crude protein 10%1
Ether extract 7.3%1

These figures come from one batch of mature leaves, not a published range. Leaf maturity and drying affect the material, and the numbers do not show how much peppermint any kibble contains.1,6

Why it is in the bag

There for mint flavor, too little to matter nutritionally

  1. Main nutrition
  2. Supporting nutrient
  3. Does a job
  4. Mostly filler

Peppermint is added for its mint aroma, and brands pair it with fresh-breath messaging. US rules require ingredients to be listed by weight, so when peppermint appears low on the list, the amount is likely too small to change the food's nutrition. The dried leaf does carry real fiber and some protein, but a flavoring dose adds little of either. It is a flavoring with a marketing angle, not filler and not a nutrient source.1,7,11

  1. 01

    Adds a mint scent

    Peppermint leaves carry aromatic oils. An addition gives a recipe a recognizable mint note without making the herb a meaningful source of protein or fiber.1,2

  2. 02

    Supports a breath claim

    Brands put peppermint beside fresh-breath messaging. Its scent can mask odor briefly, but a label claim does not show that leaf powder improves a dog's teeth or gums.7,8

  3. 03

    Adds flavor without bulk

    Peppermint is used for aroma rather than bulk. Published sources do not disclose its usual kibble inclusion or price, so its cost impact cannot be judged from the label.1,2,7

How much No published dog feeding amount for ground peppermint leaves was found; EFSA assessed peppermint tincture, a different ingredient.2

Our read // The claims

What the evidence supports

Strong: controlled studies in dogs agree. Some: small or mixed dog data. Thin: mechanism or lab work only. None: nothing, or the evidence points the other way.

  1. Brands say

    Peppermint keeps a dog's breath fresh

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    A 12-dog crossover trial reduced breath sulfur compounds with a dental chew, but it did not isolate peppermint. Mint aroma might briefly mask odor; ground leaves in kibble have not been shown to treat its cause.4,7,8

  2. Brands say

    Peppermint settles a dog's upset stomach

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    Merck describes an antispasmodic mechanism for peppermint. A 48-hour laboratory experiment tested leaves in sheep rumen fluid, not dogs. Neither shows that the amount used to flavor kibble eases digestive symptoms.1,5

  3. Brands say

    Peppermint antioxidants protect dogs

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    Merck lists an antioxidant mechanism involving menthol in an animal colitis model. EFSA's 2025 assessment considered peppermint tincture as a feed flavor; it did not demonstrate antioxidant health effects from ground leaves in dogs.2,5

  4. Owners say

    Any peppermint in dog food is poisonous

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    ASPCA warns that large mint ingestions can cause vomiting and diarrhea, while a veterinary review says a small amount of plain leaf is unlikely to harm most healthy dogs. Concentrated oil presents a different exposure.3,8,9

Straight answers

What owners ask

  1. Q01

    Is it just filler?

    No

    Peppermint has a specific job: flavor. The leaf contains fiber and other nutrients, but a flavoring addition is too small to treat it as a meaningful fiber or protein source.1,2

  2. Q02

    Will it fix bad breath?

    No proof

    The mint smell might cover an odor briefly. In a 12-dog study, a dental chew improved measured breath odor, but that result cannot be assigned to peppermint. Persistent bad breath deserves a dental check.4,8

  3. Q03

    Is peppermint oil the same thing?

    No

    The ingredient name points to the herb, often dried and ground. Essential oil concentrates its aromatic compounds and poses a separate exposure risk; do not add peppermint oil to a dog's food.8,9

Who uses it

Brands, best sellers and the company it keeps

Top brands, by foods that list it

  1. Holistic Select 15 / 16
  2. Now Fresh 11 / 35
  3. Wellness 5 / 118
  4. Go! Solutions 4 / 46
  5. Health Extension 3 / 47

Foods that list it / all the brand's recipes we track.

Usually listed with, share of the foods that list it

  1. Flaxseed 87%
  2. Peas 68%
  3. Chicken Fat 55%
  4. Potatoes 53%
  5. Dried Plain Beet Pulp 53%
  6. Mixed Tocopherols 50%
  7. Chicken Meal 47%
  8. Pumpkin 39%
  9. Oatmeal 32%
  10. Dried Egg 29%
  11. Canola Oil 26%
  12. Turkey 26%

On the shelf

Foods that list Peppermint

38 foods in our catalog list it, highest on the label first.

Health Extension Ancestry Look Out! Duck Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodHealth ExtensionHealth Extension Ancestry Look Out! Duck Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 20 on the labelHealth Extension Ancestry Lamb Meal With Rice Dry Dog FoodHealth ExtensionHealth Extension Ancestry Lamb Meal With Rice Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 20 on the labelGo! Solutions Dental + Immune Health Chicken + Salmon Dry Dog FoodGo! SolutionsGo! Solutions Dental + Immune Health Chicken + Salmon Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 25 on the labelHolistic Select Adult Health Grain-Free Duck Meal Recipe Dry Dog FoodHolistic SelectHolistic Select Adult Health Grain-Free Duck Meal Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 31 on the labelWellness CORE Digestive Health Large Breed Chicken & Brown Rice Dry Dog FoodWellnessWellness CORE Digestive Health Large Breed Chicken & Brown Rice Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 32 on the labelHolistic Select Grain-Free Small & Mini Breed Puppy Health Dry Dog FoodHolistic SelectHolistic Select Grain-Free Small & Mini Breed Puppy Health Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 33 on the labelWellness Core Digestive Health Whitefish & Brown Rice Dry Dog FoodWellnessWellness Core Digestive Health Whitefish & Brown Rice Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 34 on the labelHolistic Select Adult Health Large & Giant Breed Dry Dog FoodHolistic SelectHolistic Select Adult Health Large & Giant Breed Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 34 on the labelHolistic Select Adult Health Lamb Meal Recipe Dry Dog FoodHolistic SelectHolistic Select Adult Health Lamb Meal Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 34 on the labelHolistic Select Weight Management Grain-Free Chicken Meal & Peas Recipe Dry Dog FoodHolistic SelectHolistic Select Weight Management Grain-Free Chicken Meal & Peas Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 37 on the labelNow Fresh Good Gravy Small Breed Senior Salmon Dry Dog FoodNow FreshNow Fresh Good Gravy Small Breed Senior Salmon Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 39 on the labelNow Fresh Good Gravy Salmon Small Breed Dry Dog FoodNow FreshNow Fresh Good Gravy Salmon Small Breed Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 41 on the label
Show 26 more
Health Extension Ancestry Chicken Meal and Rice Dry Dog FoodHealth ExtensionHealth Extension Ancestry Chicken Meal and Rice Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 22 on the labelHolistic Select Adult Health Grain-Free Deboned Turkey & Lentils Recipe Dry Dog FoodHolistic SelectHolistic Select Adult Health Grain-Free Deboned Turkey & Lentils Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 33 on the labelHolistic Select Adult Health Small & Mini Breed Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodHolistic SelectHolistic Select Adult Health Small & Mini Breed Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 34 on the labelWellness Core Digestive Health Small Breed Chicken & Brown Rice Dry Dog FoodWellnessWellness Core Digestive Health Small Breed Chicken & Brown Rice Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 35 on the labelWellness Core Digestive Health Chicken & Brown Rice Dry Dog FoodWellnessWellness Core Digestive Health Chicken & Brown Rice Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 35 on the labelHolistic Select Senior Health Grain-Free Chicken Meal & Lentils Recipe Dry Dog FoodHolistic SelectHolistic Select Senior Health Grain-Free Chicken Meal & Lentils Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 35 on the labelHolistic Select Adult Health Grain-Free Rabbit & Lamb Meals Recipe Dry Dog FoodHolistic SelectHolistic Select Adult Health Grain-Free Rabbit & Lamb Meals Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 35 on the labelHolistic Select Adult Health Chicken Meal & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodHolistic SelectHolistic Select Adult Health Chicken Meal & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 35 on the labelHolistic Select Adult Health Anchovy & Sardine And Salmon Meal Recipe Dry Dog FoodHolistic SelectHolistic Select Adult Health Anchovy & Sardine And Salmon Meal Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 36 on the labelWellness Core Digestive Health Age Advantage Chicken Brown Rice Dry Dog FoodWellnessWellness Core Digestive Health Age Advantage Chicken Brown Rice Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 37 on the labelHolistic Select Puppy Large & Giant Breed Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodHolistic SelectHolistic Select Puppy Large & Giant Breed Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 37 on the labelHolistic Select Adult Large & Giant Breed Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodHolistic SelectHolistic Select Adult Large & Giant Breed Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 37 on the labelHolistic Select Adult & Puppy Health Grain-Free Salmon Anchovy & Sardine Meal Recipe Dry Dog FoodHolistic SelectHolistic Select Adult & Puppy Health Grain-Free Salmon Anchovy & Sardine Meal Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 37 on the labelHolistic Select Puppy Health Grain-Free Anchovy, Sardine & Chicken Meal Recipe Dry Dog FoodHolistic SelectHolistic Select Puppy Health Grain-Free Anchovy, Sardine & Chicken Meal Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 38 on the labelNow Fresh Good Gravy Chicken Small Breed Dry Dog FoodNow FreshNow Fresh Good Gravy Chicken Small Breed Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 41 on the labelNow Fresh Grain-Free Small Breed Red Meat Adult Recipe Dry Dog FoodNow FreshNow Fresh Grain-Free Small Breed Red Meat Adult Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 42 on the labelNow Fresh Grain-Free Small Breed Fish Adult Recipe Dry Dog FoodNow FreshNow Fresh Grain-Free Small Breed Fish Adult Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 43 on the labelNow Fresh Grain-Free Small Breed Adult Recipe Dry Dog FoodNow FreshNow Fresh Grain-Free Small Breed Adult Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 44 on the labelNow Fresh Grain-Free Small Breed Senior Recipe Dry Dog FoodNow FreshNow Fresh Grain-Free Small Breed Senior Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 46 on the labelNow Fresh Grain-Free Large Breed Puppy Food Recipe Dry Dog FoodNow FreshNow Fresh Grain-Free Large Breed Puppy Food Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 48 on the labelGo! Solutions Carnivore Grain-Free Chicken, Turkey + Duck Adult Recipe Dry Dog FoodGo! SolutionsGo! Solutions Carnivore Grain-Free Chicken, Turkey + Duck Adult Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 48 on the labelGo! Solutions Carnivore Grain-Free Chicken, Turkey + Duck Puppy Recipe Dry Dog FoodGo! SolutionsGo! Solutions Carnivore Grain-Free Chicken, Turkey + Duck Puppy Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 48 on the labelNow Fresh Grain-Free Large Breed Senior Recipe Dry Dog FoodNow FreshNow Fresh Grain-Free Large Breed Senior Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 49 on the labelNow Fresh Large Breed Turkey, Salmon & Duck Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodNow FreshNow Fresh Large Breed Turkey, Salmon & Duck Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 50 on the labelNow Fresh Grain-Free Large Breed Adult Recipe Dry Dog FoodNow FreshNow Fresh Grain-Free Large Breed Adult Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 50 on the labelGo! Solutions Carnivore Grain-Free Chicken, Turkey + Duck Senior Recipe Dry Dog FoodGo! SolutionsGo! Solutions Carnivore Grain-Free Chicken, Turkey + Duck Senior Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 53 on the label

On labels as

Other names for this

Manufacturers do not all use the same wording. These all mean the same thing.

Ground Peppermint

Sources

What we read

Checked September 1, 2026.

  1. 1 Mentha piperita (Peppermint) leaves as feed additive: In vitro ruminal gas, methane and carbon dioxide productions, nutrient degradability, and ruminal fermentation kinetics German Journal of Veterinary Research, 2025 // Journal
  2. 2 Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of a tincture derived from the leaves or the aerial parts of Mentha × piperita L. (peppermint tincture) for use in all animal species (FEFANA asbl) EFSA Journal, 2025 // Regulator
  3. 3 Toxic and Non-toxic Plants: Mint ASPCA Animal Poison Control, n.d. // Nonprofit
  4. 4 Effects of a novel dental chew on oral health outcomes, halitosis, and microbiota of adult dogs Journal of Animal Science, 2024 // Journal
  5. 5 Herbal Medicine in Veterinary Patients Merck Veterinary Manual, 2025 // Book
  6. 6 Growing, Harvesting, and Drying Herbs Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, 2026 // University
  7. 7 Premium Kibble with Peppermint for Dogs Now Fresh, n.d. // Industry
  8. 8 Can Dogs Have Peppermint? PetMD, 2025 // Industry
  9. 9 The Essentials of Essential Oils Around Pets ASPCA Animal Poison Control, 2022 // Nonprofit
  10. 10 Paws Off Xylitol; It's Dangerous for Dogs U.S. Food and Drug Administration, n.d. // Government
  11. 11 21 CFR 501.4: Food; designation of ingredients Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School (U.S. Code of Federal Regulations), n.d. // Regulator
An ingredient on its own tells you very little. What matters is how much of it there is and where it sits in the list. That is why we weigh the top five rather than reacting to any single name further down. Back to the wiki

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